Meb Sets the Standard

“He fixed his eye upon a distant and prominent clump of trees where he had concluded the enemy were to be met, and he ran toward it as toward a goal. He had believed throughout that it was a mere question of getting over an unpleasant matter as quickly as possible, and he ran desperately, as if pursued for a murder. His face was drawn hard and tight with the stress of his endeavor. His eyes were fixed in a lurid glare.” – Steven Crane, Red Badge of Courage

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I had breakfast with Meb this past June after the US Half Marathon Championships in Duluth, MN. We talked for a while about our races, our victories and disappointments, and what our plans were for the future. Then as our conversation ran dry, with little else to talk about Meb surprised me by asking about my family, my brother in particular.

To my knowledge Meb had never spent any time with my family other than just in passing at races. However, he asked me how my brother, Sam, did in his final year of high school XC and track. Apparently, during one of his numerous inspirational talks with one of the many high schools that have team camps in Mammoth Lakes, Meb met my brother, who at the time was going into his junior year of high school. Nearly two years later Meb not only remembered that he is my brother, but that they had talked about injury prevention and how to stay motivated while coming back from injuries.

This surprised me mostly because I did not know at the time how deep Meb’s involvement with the sport was, and how closely he related to athletes of all ages and levels. I knew Meb knew who I was, but it was still surprising to me how much he actually knew about my family and myself. Again, we see each other at races, but we had not spoken before for any longer than a few minutes. I have always respected him as runner but this really opened my eyes to how much Meb passion for running is an inspiration to me.

Meb has been running professionally for almost as long as I can remember (he graduated college the same year that I started running in high school). His career has been filled with awe-inspiring highs and somber lows. His career is one that most elites could only wish to have, and he is still going. Meb Keflezighi is a huge inspiration to myself and should be for every American runner. After today’s NYC Marathon, where Meb gave everything he had to try to stick with the leaders and pull out a victory, he shows such amazing emotion and passion for the sport that we all love so dearly.

Meb came into the race after being a little banged up in August and September. He could have easily decided not to run the marathon today. However, to Meb, running is more than a career, more than a paycheck. It is his life, and he is more passionate about his running than anyone I have every met. Meb made it to mile 19 with the leaders before his body shut down and he was forced to walk. He was not able to run another step, for whatever was ailing him had beaten him. However, he was not defeated. Once again Meb had every reason to stop, throw in the towel, find an aid station, and get a quick van ride back to the finish.

But Meb does not give up, and after walking for a few minutes and jogging for a few more, he got himself back into the race. Albeit, at this point he was no longer racing the leaders, he was racing himself. He was racing for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, for those who died and those who survived the tragedy in Boston, he kept running because that is the best way that he knows how to honor them. To never quit, even when others might, to be determined to get to the finish line, even if it means he will finish in 2:23.

Meb’s character is selfless and truly humbling. He has accomplished and given back so much to the sport, which is extremely honorable to see. Thank you Meb for all that you have done, for continuing to inspire me and countless others. Keep on running!

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